“Hate the idea of Sanju batting down the order” – Former RCB star's blunt message to Sanju Samson ahead of IPL 2026

Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has urged Sanju Samson to stick to the opening spot in IPL 2026 if he wants to stay in the national team’s reckoning. The cricketer-turned-commentator warned that the wicketkeeper-batter might be axed if he plays at any other spot. He hinted that the selectors can use that as an excuse if he flops at a newer position.

Amid reports of the ongoing CSK-RR trade deal, Uthappa wants Samson to open the batting for the Super Kings with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad or swashbuckling batter Urvil Patel in the next IPL season.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former IPL champion said:

“I hate the idea of Sanju batting down the order. I think you’ll probably see Sanju and Ruturaj opening the batting, or Sanju or Urvil opening the batting.” “If Sanju has to continue to push for a spot in the Indian team at the top of the order, he has to open the batting. If he bats anywhere below that number, then he’s doing himself a massive disservice, and they [selectors] will use that as an excuse against [him],” he added.

Meanwhile, it's worth mentioning that vice-captain Shubman Gill has been opening the innings for T20Is for India since the Asia Cup 2025. Samson was ignored for the opening role despite scoring three tons as an opener last year.

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“He did this when Virat was still playing” – Robin Uthappa reacts to Ruturaj Gaikwad preferring the No. 3 spot over opening the innings in IPL

Robin Uthappa further slammed Ruturaj Gaikwad’s move to the No.3 spot after becoming CSK skipper mid IPL 2024 season. The 40-year-old believes that the Maharashtra batter blew away his chances in the national side with his experiment in the T20 league. He said in the same video:

“Funnily enough, Ruturaj wants to bat at No. 3 in T20 cricket, and I don’t understand the logic of that. When he was captain, he wanted to bat at No. 3 till he got injured last year in the IPL. That is so self-defeating because you have just kind of creating a space for yourself in Indian cricket.”

Uthappa added that one Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel can play at No. 3.

“You’ve actually created a space for yourself where you can actually push for a position there, and he did this when Virat was still playing, right?... And then suddenly he’s out in the lurch trying to find his way back in. I hope he does. I really like to see him [Gaikwad] and Sanju open. Urvil at No. 3."

As an opener, Gaikwad has amassed 2289 runs in 60 innings at an average of 44.02 and a strike rate of 136.90, including two tons and 17 half-centuries. At No. 3, he has scored 208 runs in eight innings at a lower average of 26 but a higher strike rate of 151.82, hitting three fifties. Notably, Gaikwad sustained an injury and was ruled out of IPL 2025 after playing five matches.

Edited by James Kuanal